Christchurch city councillors inspected the quake damage at the Town Hall on Tuesday, before making a decision next week about how it will be repaired.
One councillor, Glenn Livingstone, says he was pleasantly surprised by the state of the hall.
Mr Livingstone says the main problem is that the building has slumped towards the Avon River, and an overhaul of the foundations is needed.
He says the council will decide next Thursday whether to completely retain the Town Hall's heritage features, or redesign some parts.
All of the four options support the restoration of the hall's main auditorium and theatre, differing only in how much the badly damaged southern wing is changed.
All options cost about $127 million.
